Apparatus for delivering train orders



a 19, 1 v L. J. HENDRICKSON 2,041,247

APPARATUS FOR DELIVERING TRAIN ORDERS Filed Sept. 18, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l y 1936; L. J. HENDRICKSON ,0 1,247

APPARATUS FOR DELIVERING TRAIN ORDERS Filed Sept. 18, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 LJHehdriflawn Patented May 19, 1936 UNITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR DELIVERING TRAIN ORDERS My invention relates to improvements in apparatus for delivering train-orders and the like. It is an object of the invention to provide a train-order delivering device for successively delivering a plurality of orders to the engineers and conductor of a moving train.

A further object of the invention is to provide a plurality of train-order holders arranged to successively swing into position along the path of a moving train and having tripping mechanism for releasing the holder operable upon removal of the train-order.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the above-mentioned character which is simple and durable in construction, re-

liable and eificient in operation and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation view of the apparatus,

Fig. 2 is a rear view of the same,

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of one of the holders, I

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view of the connection between the holder and its support,

Fig. 5is a top plan view of the construction shown in Fig. 4,

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side view of the holder,

5 Fig. 7 is a vertical section taken on line 1--1 of Fig. 3, and,

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail view of the latch mechanism for securing the holders in operative position.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration, I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 5 denotes a vertical stafi consisting of telescoping members 6 and 1, which is adapted to be positioned along the train track, being supported in an upright position by the base plate 8 attached to a suitable base mounted in the ground. The member 1 is adjustable vertically and is secured in its adjusted position by the clamping collar 9 mounted on the upper end of the member 6.

Each member of the staff is provided with a train, order holder support which are identical in construction, and therefore, it is thought the description of one support will sufiice. The support consists of a pair of spaced parallel guide hoops Ill connected together at spaced intervals by clamps I l and in turn the hoops are rigidly secured to the staff members by clamps l2. A tubular arm I3 is pivotally attached to a collar I 4, by the pivot pin IS, the collar being clamped to 5 the member of the staff in the center of the hoops, so that the arm 13 extends diametrically across and between the hoops, projecting at both ends beyond the periphery thereof. The center of the arm I 3 is provided with a Y coupling I 6 from 10 which extends an auxiliary arm I1 extending in diverging relation to the main arm between and beyond the peripheries of the hoops.

The train order holders consist of a tube l8 adapted to telescopically fit within the ends of 15 the arms I3 and I1 and removably secured therein by means of the spring pressed latch bolt l8 attached to the outside'of the arm. The bolt I8 is slidably mounted in the casing l9 and extends through an opening 20 in the arm. A 20 spring 2| mounted on the bolt and having one end engaged with the transverse pin 22 extending through the bolt, normally forces the bolt inwardly, so that when the tube is fitted within the 'arms, the latch bolt automatically engages the opening 23 in the tube removablysecuring it in 25 place. A hollow head 24 is attached to the outer end of the tube [8 which extends therefrom in a downwardly diverging relation. A bell crank lever 25 is pivotally mounted within the head, as at 2B, and attached to one arm of the lever is a 0 movable supporting bar 21 which extends beyond the end of the head. A fixed supporting bar 28 is attached to the flange 29 formed integral with the head and extends therefrom in diverging relation to the movable bar 21. The train order holding loop 30, which is formed of string or other suitable material engages around the ends of the bars 21 and .28 and is held taut by the spring clip 3| attached to the side of the head 24, 40 thus holding the movable bar 21 in a raised position. The opposite arm of the lever 25 is pivotally connected to one end of the rod 32, as at 33, which extends longitudinally and axially of the tube IS. The opposite end of the rod 32 is 45 connected to the cross bar 34 which extends through the opposed longitudinal slots .35 formed in the sides of the tube and corresponding slots 36 in the sides of the arms 13 and I1. The cross bar is positioned for movement into and out of 50 engagement with the peripheries of the hoops l0 and is controlled in its movement by the movement of the bar 21. The hoops Ill are of tubular construction, and are provided with openings in their outer peripheries in which catches 31 are 55 pivotally mounted for swinging movement into and out of the openings. These catches are positioned for engagement by the cross bar 34, to support the arms l3 and I! in an operative posi- 5 tion. The free end of arm I3 is equipped with a pull chain 38 for swinging the arm into operative position. A platform 39 is attached to the member 6 of the staff 5 and has a ladder 40 leading therefrom to the ground, so that the holders may 10 be readily placed in and removed from the supporting arms.

In operation, the order holding loop 30 is attached to the holder which holds the movable bar 21 of the holder in a raised position and upon insertion of the tube I8 of the holder in the arm l3 or [1, the cross bar 34 will be in frictional contact with the peripheries of the guide hoops l0 and upon swinging of the arm l3 to an operative position, the cross bar will engage the catches 31 which will support the arm IS in position for delivering the train order to the crew of the train.

Upon removal of the holding loop 30, the movable bar 21 will drop downwardly and through the bell crank lever 25 and rod 32 will move the cross 25 bar 34 forwardly, out of engagement with the catches 31, so that the arm I3 is free to swing downwardly. When each of the arms l3 and II are supporting holders, it will be seen that as the arm l3 swings downwardly, the arm II. will be moved to an operative position, in which position it will be supported by the catches 31 engaging the cross bar 34 of the holder. Thus, it is seen that when it is desired to deliver a plurality of orders to different members of the train crew, the appa- 3 ratus will successively deliver the orders to the train crew as the train passes by.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that certain changes in the shape, size and arrangement of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:-

1. Apparatus of the character described including a staif, a pair of spaced parallel guide hoops mounted on said staff, a supporting arm disposed between said hoops and pivotally mounted on said staff, a train order holder de- 50 tachably connected with said arm, catches mounted in the peripheries of said hoops, and

releasable latching means carried by said holder adapted to engage with said catches to hold said holder in operative position.

2. Apparatus of the character described including a staif, a pair of spaced parallel guide members mounted on said staff, a pair of diverging supporting arms pivotally mounted between said members, a train order holder adapted to be connected with said supporting arms including a fixed and movable rod arranged in diverging relation, a latching mechanism connected with said movable rod and operated thereby, catches mounted on said members for engagement with said latching mechanism, and an order holding loop for attachment to said rods adapted to hold said movable rod raised, whereby said latching mechanism is held in position for engagement with said catches.

3. Apparatus of the character described including a staff, a pair of spaced parallel guide members mounted on said staff, a pair of diverging supporting arms pivotally mounted between said members, a train order holder including a tube for detachable connection with said supporting arms, a fixed and movable bar extending from the outer end of said tube in diverging relation, a latching mechanism slidably mounted in said tube and operably connected with said movable bar, catches mounted on said members adapted to be engaged by said latching mechanism when said movable bar is raised, and an order holding loop supported by the bars of said holder adapted to hold said movable bar raised.

4. Apparatus of the character described including a staff, a pair of spaced parallel guide members mounted on said staff, a pair of diverging supporting arms pivotally mounted between said members, a train order holder including a tube for detachable connection with said supporting arms, a fixed and movable bar extending from the outer end of said tube in diverging relation, catches mounted on said members, a cross bar slidably mounted in said tube for engagement with said catches, mechanism connecting said cross bar with said movable bar for moving said cross bar out of engagement with said catches when the movable bar swings downwardly, and an order holding loop detachably supported by the bars of said holder adapted to hold said movable bar raised.

LEONARD JOHN HENDRICKSON. 

